Someday

I wrote this poem after the shooting in Charlottesville years ago. Since that time, so many hate-filled shootings have occurred. And yesterday, another hate-filled shooting. Eight people died because of mindless, ignorant hate. Eight people murdered, simply because of their race. When will this end?

Someday.

Someday we will listen.

Someday we will speak of our lives and not be afraid.

We will speak and listen and feel no rage.

Names so different and faces so new will be welcomed as family – one and the same.

Someday we will listen.

Atheist and Christian, Muslim and Buddhist, Hindu and Jew – we will speak as one.

We will speak of shared hopes and fears and feel no hate.

Names so new and hands so fragile will reach out as family – one and the same.

Someday we will listen.

Languages foreign and new will be heard and welcomed as those long known.

Faith and science will sit together in love of life – one and the same.

Someday we will mourn and rejoice and know we are kin.

Someday we will listen.

Someday we will love.